The 4th of July should be spent on a boat.
We enjoy the morning at the cabin, make eggs for breakfast, and watch a few episodes of The Kardashians before putting on our red, white, and blue attire. Sadly, today is our last day in California, but it’s the 4th of July in Los Angeles. We want to make the most of this holiday by going on a whale-watching tour and watching the 4th of July Fireworks in Huntington Beach California
After I graduated college, I spent one 4th of July summer in Washington D.C., but it’s been a few years since I have gone anywhere interesting for the holiday.
We weren’t sure where to watch the fireworks in Los Angeles, but after a quick Google search, we landed in Huntington Beach. The Fourth of July should always be on a boat. I can’t explain it, but it feels like the best way to enjoy the holiday on a ship or at the beach. It’s too cold to get in the water today, so this will be fun.
Huntington Beach
If you want to know where to celebrate the 4th of July in Los Angeles it’s Huntington Beach. We drive the hour and a half to Huntington Beach first. Little did we realize that Huntington Beach has one of the country’s largest Fourth of July Parades.
Every home has red, white, and blue flags and banners. The streets are all closed off for the parade. Being new to the area, we had yet to learn how to pass through the crowds of people with closed streets. Instead, we find parking and take a quick walk on the beach.
Waterfront Lunch at the Rusty Pelican
The crowds dwindle, and we start the last thirty-minute drive to Newport Beach. By this point, it’s about lunchtime, and we decide to stop by the Rusty Pelican. Everyone wanted to eat hamburgers for the Fourth of July, so when I saw them on the menu, I said, let’s go. However, when we arrived, I realized it was a seafood restaurant. The one burger they had on the menu was the only option for a burger. I love seafood, so I ordered the orange ginger trout, but everyone else at the table ordered a grilled chicken sandwich or a cheeseburger. Despite not knowing it was a seafood restaurant, the food was delicious. The fish was tender and paired perfectly with the spicy orange flavor.
Whale Watching at Newport Beach
Let’s drive to Newport Beach is short, but the time it takes to find parking is not. People walk around in American flag bikinis and bike through the streets. It feels like half the country decided to be in Newport Beach today. The meeting spot for our boat tour is unclear- but we just need to find a parking place then walk to where we are meeting. A 4th of July in Los Angeles is one big party.
Fireworks off the Huntington Beach Pier
When we make it back to Huntington Beach, I worry about parking. The 4th of July in Huntington Beach, California is busy. Nearly every spot is taken at Newport Beach. We are leaving are perfect spot in hopes of some better fireworks off of the Huntington Beach Pier. Apparently, there is 1300 fireworks set to explode off the Huntington Beach Pier on the 4th of July.
The sun is setting. We haven’t eaten dinner, but the first priority is finding a parking spot. A car is illegally parking on the sides of the road in hopes of securing a good view of the fireworks. Next to the road there is a parking area for the Huntington Beach State Park. It’s $20 to park but at this point we don’t care and are so happy to have found a spot. Unfortunately, the only restaurant within walking distance is closed so the few snacks we packed will have to do.
4th of July Fireworks Huntington Beach
Although it’s California the air has already got a cold bite to it. I layer in a jacket, sweater, and jeans with a blanket wrapped around me and I am still cold. Once on the beach we have the best view. Up and down the beach fireworks shoot off- some even directly above our heads. None could compare to the largest ones shot off of huntington beach. Huntington Beach 4th of July fireworks are unmatched. One after another exploded. We stayed until the show is fully over, before dusting the sand off our blankets and heading back to the Airbnb.
Traffic is a nightmare to get out of the parking lot. A one lane turned into a three lane as cars tried to pull out in front of our large SUV. One car practically hit us before zooming ahead. Once our of the traffic a little ways I feel fast asleep and barely woke up to drag myself to bed once we made it to the cabin. It was the perfect last day in California.
